Below are the most bookmarked articles by our members.
No grand mountain vistas or stunning Renaissance architecture near you? No problem. It doesn’t mean you can’t go out with your camera and capture some great images. There are three exercises—or projects—I like to do in my local towns or when I travel. They're a lot of fun. And a huge bonus is they do help make you a better photographer too, because they help you to see. Really see.
Here's a radical thought: the most underutilized piece of equipment in your camera bag isn't that expensive filter you never remember to use or the flash modifier gathering dust on your shelf. It's something else that came with your camera and that you probably tossed aside.
Removing glare from glasses is a constant challenge when editing portraits, especially if you want a clean, realistic look without losing facial detail. Whether shooting professionally or for fun, glare can detract from your photos, making mastering this skill valuable.
An intervalometer are inexpensive and invaluable. We will break down what it is, how it can help you, and how to use it.
Creating an emotional connection with your subjects leads to stronger images and more business. Psychologists have a technique that helps you quickly establish that connection.
Getting your camera settings right from the start not only improves image quality, it helps you become more deliberate as a creative. Choosing a manual approach can shift photography from a reactive activity to something more intentional and rewarding.
Landscape photography is crowded with opinions and advice, and sorting out the myths from reality can lead you toward more trouble-free results. Common misconceptions often cause unnecessary limitations in how you approach your photography.
Learning from mistakes is great, but learning from someone else's mistakes can save you a lot of trouble. If you're starting out in photography or even if you've been at it awhile, paying attention to hard-earned lessons can simplify your creative journey and help you focus better on the right priorities.
When you're out shooting, nothing is more frustrating than dealing with flat, dull skies. But boring skies shouldn't mean boring photos.
Here's how I failed at becoming a full-time photographer.
Masks are essential tools, but many photographers keep their use pretty basic. Complex masks, where you combine or modify multiple masks, can transform your editing process and dramatically improve your images.
Editing black and white photographs effectively isn't as simple as flipping a switch in Lightroom. Getting the process right has a significant impact on the quality and authenticity of your final images.
If you've struggled to understand Lightroom, or if your photo edits feel inconsistent and unpredictable, this tutorial provides a clear path forward. Clearly grasping each editing step helps you consistently achieve professional-quality results.
Who doesn’t love to travel and explore new places? And if you have a camera with you to document the experience, well, I can’t think of a more fun thing to be doing! I’m not including the obvious things most tip lists include, like planning ahead, shooting during golden hour, or traveling light. I’m more interested in the creative aspects of travel photography, so I’ve compiled five points to consider aimed at helping you bring home a collection of photos to be proud of—photos that tell a story and project a sense of place.
Sarah thought she'd found the perfect wedding photographer. The portfolio looked stunning, the price seemed reasonable, and the photographer's enthusiasm during their initial consultation convinced her they were the right choice. She signed the contract and paid the deposit immediately, excited about the beautiful photos she'd receive.
Filters are tools that improve landscape photography by controlling light and enhancing details. They help balance exposure, reduce glare, and boost colors in ways cameras alone can’t. This video and article explain how to use graduated neutral density (ND) filters, polarizers, and UV filters effectively, with practical examples to show their impact.
Editing forest scenes in Lightroom Classic can quickly become tricky because of stark contrasts between shadow and light. Knowing how to handle this complexity can elevate your landscape photos from average to exceptional.
Photographers make photographs, right? It’s obvious. And we all regularly share and view images, even as the technology underpinning the craft has changed. But what makes a photograph a “finished” product that we can put out into the world?
Photography is an artistic pursuit, and yet shares similarities with sports. While fundamentally an individual activity, there is a necessary social component that enhances the experience. How do these two strains interact in our photographic journey?
The photography was stunning—moody, atmospheric, deeply personal. Each image told a story through dramatic lighting and unconventional composition. The photographer's Instagram followers loved it, fellow artists praised the vision, and it even won a local competition. But six months later, the photographer was struggling to book paying clients, questioning whether to continue pursuing photography professionally, and wondering why artistic recognition wasn't translating into business success.
Imagine taking a photo and not seeing it for a week. Imagine every click of the shutter costing real money. Imagine gathering your family around the kitchen table to pass around actual printed photographs, holding them up to the light, flipping them over to read date stamps printed in orange numbers.
Black and white photography demands deliberate thought. It's a choice that can sharpen your visual message or inadvertently muddle the intent.
Air travel can be filled with uncertainty, and more so with camera gear. I've traveled domestically in the United States and internationally as well, learning a few strategies along the way. I'll share some of these tips to help you fly with photography equipment a little easier.
Editing photos can be a challenge. With so many sliders and options to choose from, sometimes it makes sense to understand some fundamentals to build upon. Understanding the effect of undertones on the colors in an image can help bring sense to what might seem unpredictable.